Platypuses make long-awaited return to MacKenzie River

For the first time in more than 10 years, juvenile platypuses have been found in a river in the Northern Grampians.

Four platypuses were found during a two-night survey of the MacKenzie River.

The survey was organised by the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority (CMA) to monitor the effects of its environmental watering program.

The CMA's Greg Fletcher says the researchers had fairly low expectations leading into the survey because bushfires damaged known platypus hotspots in January.

"Instead we got really positive news that they captured two juveniles for the first time since they've been doing the surveys up there and that demonstrates that the population has resisted all of the impacts that it's had to endure but is trying to make a comeback," he said.